By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Oakwood man killed in fatal Hwy. 53 crash
Authorities release truck driver's name
A-Fatal wreck pic
Emergency services work to clear the accident that claimed the life of an Oakwood man Thursday. - photo by Michele Hester Dawson Community News

An Oakwood man died and two other patients were taken to area hospitals Thursday afternoon following a collision on Hwy. 53, east of Dawsonville.

Authorities say the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. when a tractor-trailer hauling chicken feed collided with a passenger vehicle in a curve near Buddy Burt Road.

The driver of the Chevy Impala, Misty Anderson of Dawsonville, and a 15-year-old in the car were taken by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Georgia State Patrol Spokeswoman Robin Stone.

A 16-year-old in the car received minor injuries but declined medical attention.

Dawson County Sheriff's Maj. Greg Rowan said all three were able to get out of the wrecked Impala on their own.

Emergency service crews from Dawson and Forsyth counties worked for nearly an hour to free the driver of the truck, identified as 36-year-old Jason Dale Kimberly, who was still alive at the onset of the incident. He was later pronounced dead at the scene by Dawson County Deputy Coroner Billy Thurmond.

Authorities said the passenger car "went through the cab of the truck when the truck overturned."

Kimberly, according to Stone, was headed toward Dawsonville when he "failed to maintain his lane of travel while negotiating the curve."

He reportedly left the roadway on the right shoulder and overcorrected as he entered back onto the roadway before crossing the center line and overturning.

"The front of [the truck] struck the front of [the Impala], which was pinned up against the embankment," Stone said.

Traffic was rerouted to Buddy Burt Road while both lanes of Hwy. 53 were shut down as crews worked to clear the scene.

The roadway reopened around 5 p.m.